SYW range - Progress & Future plans

Back in February 2023 we discussed a list of suggestions for new moulds for inclusion in the SYW range. At that time we noted that PA had produced 34 moulds in 10 years. In the time since then PA have (or are about to) released the British highlanders (3), British infantry (4) and Prussian cuirassiers (4) another 11 moulds, so actually releasing moulds at a slightly faster (or less slow😊) rate. 

Seven Years War in Europe

Central & Eastern  Europe

When I started working with Chris Tubb and Prince August (in 2012!) the initial aim was to produce a range of figures to (allow me to) fight wargames battles in the central European theatre, so primarily the Prussian, Austrian and Russian armies. With figures for these armies, any minor German states etc could be produced from the closest moulds in the major armies.

With the inclusion of my conversions for Austrian (Karoliner) and Prussian (Rossbach) cuirassiers, I produced my Prussian and Austrian armies a few years ago. The Russians are still a future project.

Austrian (& Russian) cuirassiers

The 'missing' Prussian cuirassiers have now been released, so that just leaves the Austrians. There are already some Austrian moulds in the range, however although nice figures, they are way too big to mix with the rest of the castings in the armies, so I don't use them (even though I have some cast & painted).

For my own gaming purposes I have converted Karoliner figures (just a head swap), which do the job nicely.

However this is an important hole in the range. Assuming the new Prussian cuirassier castings come out OK, I think the best way of filling the gap would be to modify the new Prussian figures. I will keep asking for these as it is an important omission.

Artillery in Coats

I've manned all my guns with crews in shirt sleeves, and am quite happy with them - however it would be nice to add a couple of moulds for crew in coats, so I will keep suggesting.

Cossacks

A few Cossack moulds would be nice.

Western Europe

Although my personal interest is in the central theatre, comments on the blog indicated a clear desire for the French and British armies. As a result of this, the project got side tracked and PA produced the French infantry before completing the cavalry and artillery for the central theatre.

With the recent addition of the British highlanders and infantry it is now possible to produce armies for this theatre as well.

Potential future moulds for the European Theatre

So in summary, apart from the figures discussed above, I think that the range for the European theatres is almost complete. Below are listed the remaining moulds which I will continue to suggest PA produce to fill the gaps:

• Austrian cuirassiers - possibly based on the Prussians (3/4 moulds)
• Artillery in coats (2 moulds)
• Standing 'Prussian' infantry command (2 moulds)
• Cosacks (3/4 moulds?)
• Pioneers/Civilians (2 moulds?)

Seven Years War in North America

The North American theatre was as important to the British and French as what was happening in Europe. The currently available moulds for the British and French soldiers can be used for their armies regular troops,, however there was also a lot more 'irregular' fighting in that conflict. Plans are therefore underway to produce figures for some of these irregulars, current thinking is:

• British (Rogers) rangers
• French militia
• Native Americans 

As always comments are welcome.

British Standard Bearer and NCO

Just a quick update to show what is next on PA's release schedule. Chris is currently working on a mould to the British standard bearer and NCO, which will finish the British infantry in the European theatre.

Standard Bearer

In the British army the standards were carried by junior officers (ensigns), so has the sash over his shoulder. He is  in the usual pose, requiring the hands to be drilled out for the standard pole. 

NCO

I suggested that an NCO is included to fill the mould, and for the pose I suggested go with something similar to the original Prussian one, which I think is a really nice figure, he will have a separate hand/pole arm, which will allow other options  such as sword or musket.

I have suggested sculpting a sergeant.

Franklin's book on the British uniforms states that after 1752 there should be a fringed epaulet on each shoulder (not yet finalised on figure), however I have been unable to find any prints showing an NCO wearing one, and am coming to the conclusion that they were not introduced until later - can anyone help?

Wagons, Drivers & Civilians

Wagons & Drivers

I'm in the process of putting together a participation game which involves the Austrian ambush of a Prussian wagon train (which one - answers on a post card), and decided I needed some wagons.

The starting point for the horse teams and drivers was the limber horses from the Karoliner range, these are fine, however, for most of them I replaced the heads with ones from the SYW range, as I think they fit in better with the rest of my collection.

The wagons and caissons are all 3D prints of Napoleonic types based on files purchased from Najewitz Modellbau. The files for the wagons are hidden within their Napoleonic terrain packages (which is where the building files for my buildings were obtained). I appreciate that the types may not be historically correct for the Seven Years War, but I decided they would be close enough for what I wanted.

I also decided that I wanted to have some of the wagons to have their drivers on foot. My initial plan was to use the artilleryman with rammer, cut off the rammer and then bend down the arm a little so he looked as if he was leading the horse. However, knowing that the artillery were sculpted digitally I pushed my luck and asked Chris if he could do that for me digitally and send me the STL file so I could print them myself; he exceeded my expectations and sent me an STL file for a new civilian figure in the pose I had suggested.

Here he is with a Napoleonic field wagon; the hand is a bit higher than ideal, and being semi flat, even with part of the base cut off,  the arm is also quite a way from the horse. Unfortunately resin prints do not easily bend (they bend a bit if heated in hot water first), so I decided to live with it - they look good from a distance.

There is also a Napoleonic ambulance, again probably not accurate but looks good.

One thing I did change as printing progressed was the wheels. The ones with the Najewitz files are those on the ambulance above, the joints in the wheel rim are just nonsense, with some of the joints over the spokes - they would just fall apart. I replaced them on later models with wheels rescaled from a French Napoleonic cannon, as the ones on the caisson at the top.

For the later wagons I wanted to remove the driver's seat, which looks a bit later than SYW, so had a go at mixing, matching and rescaling parts from several models. The body is from a different wagon, the cover and axles from the earlier field wagon and the wheels from the cannon - I think it looks more SYW.

And it can be filled with barrels....

The caisson is probably the least accurate as it should probably be more like the one below.

So I rescaled the cover to the wagon and arrived at this - which is much closer (I suppose it could be closer if the body was shortened and the cover made to overhang a little).

The reason I have shown so many photos is to show what can be done using 3D printers. I have no sculpting ability (too late to learn now), and have not used a sculpting program. This has all been done within the actual printer slicing package by just rescaling parts in varying ratios to better match what I was trying to produce.

Civilians

Chris produced the wagon driver in digital form and let me have the file to print for this participation game - there are no plans to put these into production.

Does anyone think there would be a market for a few civilian types (or perhaps soldiers in waistcoats), in poses such as that leading the wagon, or perhaps carrying out engineering tasks such as digging with shovels, swinging pick axes or carrying logs?????? 

As always comments appreciated.

Prussian Cuirassiers

 After years of my nagging, Chris & PA have now moved onto the Prussian cuirassiers; sculpting is well underway so here are some preliminary screen shots.😂

Although the walking Austrian cuirassier and generic dragoon pose is nice, feedback gained from my display/participation games is that the pose of the modified 'charging' Karoliner figures is nicer.  (To be fair to Chris, the walking horse with trooper carrying the the sword on his shoulder was my idea). 

For the Prussian cuirassiers we decided to revert to a more active fast trot similar to the old HE and Karoliner cavalry - I hope we made the right decision. Currently the plan is to produce 3 moulds, and in them provide the parts to make the usual officer, musician, standard bearer and trooper. 

Trooper/Standard Bearer

This is a fine chap 'charging' at a fast trot, and being a cuirassier is mounted on a larger horse than the dragoons. He will come with a separate right sword arm, carbine and head.

The figure will also double as the standard bearer, the only real uniform difference is that the standard bearer's cross belt should be fringed but the trooper's plain - I suggested this did not warrant a separate figure/mould. and the fringe could be painted on,  As with the dragoons, a small separate arm will be provided which needs drilling to add the standard pole. 

Chris has also sculpted an outstretched arm with a pistol, but he is not sure if it will fit into this mould, so it might have to go with the officer where there is a bit more space? 

Officer

Another nice chap, again separate right arm and head - and possibly a spare pistol arm.

Trumpeter

Again a nice figure with separate right arm and head (unfortunately it is not possible to add the chords to the trumpet as they would be too fragile for the mould making process).

Austrian (& Russian) cuirassier?

As I am sure you anyone who reads this blog is aware I am not happy with the current moulds for the Austrian cuirassiers as they are WAY too big, as a result of which I don't use them and instead use converted Karoliners.

If PA were to change the uniforms on these charging figures to represent Austrian cuirassiers do you think they would sell?

What is next?

I think after the Prussian cuirassier PA will be releasing the missing British standard bearer and NCO (I have not seen these yet).

As as usual comments welcome

Photos of Peter's Figures

A belated Happy New Year to you all.

I hope you are all busy casting and painting............personally, I have done nothing with my 40mm collection for the last few months - I really must do something as I have a pile of them cast and ready for painting. I have however been working with Chris Tubb with respect to further additions to the range to be released once the British infantry are complete - so there is more coming (if there is a market for them).

Peter's Figures

In the last post I asked Peter (Peter Michael Prow) to let me have some photos of his painted figures - here are some he kindly sent me - he clearly has a much steadier hand than I do!

The figures are all are painted with Games Workshop acrylics, (he works there) heavily coated with thick a thick brushed on coat of Humbrol gloss.

Austria - Bercheny Hussars - Senior Officer 

Britain - 15th Light Dragoons

Prussia - Szekely Hussars - Officer

, 

France - Royal Nassau Hussars - Trooper

 

Prussia - Le Noble Freikorps

Russia - Officer, Grenadiers and a few Pandour

Austria - Senior Officer

Prussia - Von Kleist Freikorps